Caromal Colour Samples Ready To Ship…

Andi ordered some samples-

We would like to order these samples-  all Barnwood Distress samples. The paint is going over my existing oak cabinets…

1) Cobblestone over peppercorn medium texture

2) Peppercorn over pumpkin light texture

3) Parchment over cobblestone medium tecture

4) Mustard over chocolate light texture

5) Wisteria over parchment light texture

6) Peppercorn over putty heavier texture

7) Parchment over chocolate medium texture

Just topcoated with Minwax Satin Poly… when it dries, they will be boxed up and labeled for shipping -

ARE YOU READY TO GET SOME CAROMAL COLOURS FOR YOURSELF?

Caromal Colours are not carried in big stores.  There are a handful of small country/ home furnishing stores through the US that may carry a limited selection,  but if you purchase in a store that owner will receive credit not me.    If this post was informative and helpful in your ‘how-to’ searches, a simple, but huge, way to thank me  is this:   if you decide to use these products,  order them from Caromal Colour’s  online store and use my code, PattyH in the coupon code area. This code is needed in order for me to receive credit for the order,  if you forget to use it I lose. You don’t pay more by using my code – and if you order online you won’t pay tax (outside PA).

If you want to place an order, click on the  store button below.

Swarovski Crystals Revisited – Decorative Finishes…

I’ve posted several times about those yummy sparkly Swarovski Flatback 2028 Crystals-  the wonderful selection, the cool color chart, and my then favorite place to shop online, DanceShopper-

This past month I was working on sample finishes for a master bedroom  (I posted about it here).    Swarovski Crystals were needed- both Silver Shade and Black Diamond color.  The client checked out  my crystal color chart (ABOVE) that I’d purchased awhile ago from Danceshopper, and loved the idea of using crystals on the ceiling.   Take a look at this huge chart online- Danceshopper Crystal Flatback Chart.    You  can still order the  hard copy chart  for  $19.95 - I love mine.

I needed several sizes of each color -  I priced them at Danceshopper.  I also priced them at Rhinestoneshop.com, where I found an awesome selection and at really affordable rates ( its mostly because the quantity is less, which works perfectly for smaller projects like this one I’m working on ).  They offer a crystal chart as well -  Rhinestoneshop Crystal Flatback Chart, for $30.

Heres what I found -

Black Diamond size 40ss         Danceshopper    not offered             Rhinestoneshop    12  pc   $6.99

Black Diamond size  34ss        Danceshopper   144 pc   $22.50     Rhinestoneshop    18 pc   $4.75

Black Diamond size 20ss         Danceshopper  1440 pc  $76.50    Rhinestoneshop    72 pc   $6.25

Silver Shade 34ss                       Danceshopper  144 pc   $27.75       Rhinestoneshop   18 pc   $5.75

Silver Shade 20ss                       Danceshopper  1440pc   $94.75     Rhinestoneshop   72pc   $8.00

I ended up ordering from Rhinestoneshop.  We are incorporating these crystals into a 4′x7′  Modello ceiling design,  and the smaller quantities that Rhinestoneshop offers is very appealing.

I use the E-6000 glue for applying the stones, and Rhinestoneshop offered all varieties of glue sizes – I ordered the 10 tubes (0.18oz ea) for $15.00.  The E-6000 works great, but it’s almost impossible to keep the tube clean for next use… .good luck getting it open.  So, figured the individual .18oz size tubes are perfect!

I also picked up a couple ‘Rhinestone Perfect Positioner’ tools -

They were only $1.50 each, and I figured ANYTHING new is worth trying once – especially if you’ve ever hand applied the flatback crystals – it is           S   L    ooooooo W   going!   The tip is like those gooey rubber hands that your kids arrive home from the carnival with,  that make permanent marks on your walls? 

Anyway,  I thought I’d share…. Rhinestoneshop has free shipping most of the time, and no sales tax if out of state.    And the ship speed was incredible.  I got my package from Arizona to Michigan in record time.  Rhinestoneshop is now my new favorite!

A Distressed White Headboard – Caromal Colours Makeover

Rosemary contacted me a  while ago about her daughter’s bedroom set -

Dear Patty,

I saw your website and am very interested in ordering some of your products to finish my daughter’s bedroom set (see attached photos).  However, I want to keep the white color of her bedroom.  I noticed on many of your before and after photos that the woods finished with the parchment color were a cream color when finished.  Is there any way to distress or refinish her bedroom set without losing the pure white color? …

Hi Rosemary,

The textured basecoat you’d want is Wisteria   (white)    Not sure how much you’d need – not sure if you can do it in 1 quart – or if you’ll need 2.  This is what you’d do…

Dear Patty,

Hi there.  Ok.  So far I’ve done her bed (in wisteria).  It looks great.  I still have to do her dresser/mirror and nightstand.  I did not use a top-coat of poly.  I think my husband was hoping it would be “shiner.”  I told him it’s the shabby chic look.  Anyway, is there something other than poly that I can put on the bed to give it some shine/finish.  I want it to retain it’s bright white look.  Is there a wax or something I could use?   I took pictures and I’ll send them to you as soon as I’ve finished the other pieces.  So far, so good!

Hi Rosemary,

Yes, it doesn’t dry shiny, that’s for sure.  A top coat will cure this though.   Wax will give it a natural  furniture finish look,  Caromal carries the Liberon Natural Wax,  love it,  but wouldn’t recommend it in this case,  since you are looking for something shinier.  Because you are using the white color,  I’d go with a water based topcoat, to prevent any slight ambering of color.   Here is a link to a min-wax product -  http://www.minwax.com/products/water_based_clear_protective_finishes/water_based_polyurethane.html you can find at Home Depot or Lowes type stores-   I normally use Satin finish   but you’re probably looking at least more for semi-gloss….

So far  the bed is complete -  Rosemary used Caromal Colours Wisteria, distressed it, and did not use a Toner.  It is so lovely I had to share-

I love the Caromal Colours Wisteria untoned – it is so crisp and clean and fresh!

ARE YOU READY TO GET SOME CAROMAL COLOURS FOR YOURSELF?

Caromal Colours are not carried in big stores.  There are a handful of small country/ home furnishing stores through the US that may carry a limited selection,  but if you purchase in a store that owner will receive credit not me.    If this post was informative and helpful in your ‘how-to’ searches, a simple, but huge, way to thank me  is this:   if you decide to use these products,  order them from Caromal Colour’s  online store and use my code, PattyH in the coupon code area. This code is needed in order for me to receive credit for the order,  if you forget to use it I lose. You don’t pay more by using my code – and if you order online you won’t pay tax (outside PA).

If you want to place an order, click on the  store button below.

Looking For BIG Wall Art? Think It’s Iron?

My client was looking for the perfect artwork to hang in their Great Room.  There is an open wall on each side of the two story fireplace and she wanted BIG scale artwork.  It isn’t easy find large scale wall decor.

In her online searching, she found this great product,  Tableaux-

Quite clever, they offer iron looking motif made to order – chose your design, size, shape, material, color – you name it, and they make it.

Choose your shape and style from the very extensive design library (or bring your own) -

provide the shape and size, then choose the finish, standard or organic-

and you get something like these -

Pretty cool, bookmark it !